Damp, mould and condensation
Is your home damp?
Dampness in your home can cause mould on walls and furniture, and make timber frames rot. Damp housing encourages the growth of mould and mites and can increase the risk of respatory illness. On this page, you will find a description of the different causes of dampness, and how we can help combat one of them
Distinguishing dampness
There are four main causes of damp, these are:
- Rising Damp
- Traumatic Damp
- Penetrating Damp
- Condensation
Rising Damp
Rising damp is caused by a failure, or lack of damp proofing in the construction of your house. It is quite easy to distinguish. There will be a "tide mark" usually no more than one meter off of the ground where the water has been absorbed into the wall. It will feel cold and damp to the touch below this mark. The only real solution to this problem is to to have your property surveyed, and work carried out by a registered contractor.
Traumatic Damp
Traumatic damp is caused by a leak in an appliance, or from the plumbing system. The dampness may be on the floor, and will always be in the same area, usually close by to the source of the problem. In cases like this, the appliance, or piping may need to be repaired or replaced
Penetrating Damp
Penetrating damp is when there is a building fault, or a problem with the plumbing. The water will cause patches at first, which may grow and shrink. It can travel, so may not all be in the same spot. And it is normally affected by seasons, and may clear up when the weather is dry. To rectify the problem, a registered contractor should be called for survey.
Condensation
Condensation dampness can be caused by a number of factors. Insufficient heating, insufficient insulation, insufficient ventilation, and an excess of moisture in the air, all can contribute to dampness. You can distinguish condensation dampness by spotted mould that appears, usually in the cold corners of walls, sometimes on furniture, and in or behind closets. This will eventually grow to cover
Some damp is caused by condensation, this is where we can help.
If you are suffering with condensation damp and mould, here are a few facts and tips to reduce it
Facts
- Condensation travels around your home
- Drying clothes indoors produces between five and thirteen pints of water
- Cooling can produce three and a half to seven pints of water
- Four people asleep for 8 hours produces between two and 3.5 pints of water
Tips
- If you have to dry your washing indoors, make sure you do it in one room (preferably somewhere like the bathroom.) Open the windows and keep the door shut
- When running a bath or having a shower, open the window and shut the door
- When dooking, make sure lids are on pans, and shut the door from the kitchen
